[atc1]

I have a 92 Accord EX with a problem.

The car seems to be stuck in 3rd gear when I start from a standstill. I can manually select all forward gears, however it appears that I only have two forward gears working (2nd and 3rd). Neutral, Reverse and Park all work fine.

At first the D4 light started blinking. Now it stays on regardless of which gear I select. Jumping the blue (2-wire) connector does not result in the D4 light blinking (indicating any codes).

I have read where these models have a history of burned resistors and leaking capacitors in the TCM. I haven’t pulled the TCM to see yet.

Do the symptoms I describe indicate a bad TCM?

[Duane in Japan]

Not really a bad TCM but an electrical problem yes. Not flashing the code could be a bad TCM, make damn sure you have metal to metal contact with your jumper, did the CEL flash and the ABS also (if installed). Shifting manually says the tranny is OK mechanically, are you very sure it did not go into first gear. Watch the tach as you drive from a dead stop, it should go into first if you shift it into first.

The shift solenoid could be the problem also, any cheap repair manual will tell you how to test the solenoids and how to monitor them for shifting properly, see if the library has your book. Do you have a volt meter.

[TxGreaseMonkey]

Very possibly. Check transmission connector reference voltages. If they are woefully low, the TCM is likely bad. You could also disconnect the negative battery cable, remove the TCM, remove the cover, and examine it for visible damage. EBay or a salvage yard should have a replacement for around $100.

[atc1]

I am sure that the jumper has contact. Also sure that I only have 2nd and 3rd gear (looking at the tach).

I read that if you were able to move the shifter from Park to another gear with the inition on, that would indicate a faulty TCM.

I do have a volt meter.